Dispatches from Austin: Texas Typography

Hello, dearest Poppytalk friends. I have just returned home to Austin after a very long trip. My summer has been filled with an abundance of pleasant, unhurried days with my sweet family, but isn't it true - there's no place like home? Oh, how lovely it is to sleep in my own bed again, to share really good barbecue with friends, to swim at Barton Springs pool.

Interestingly, when I sorted through my images, I realized that all my favorite shots focused on typography. And this prompts me to wonder: is there a typography of place?

If Austin has an identifying typography, I would have to say it is hand lettered, maybe washed out by the Texas sun, or starting to deteriorate a little.

We have some of the most amazing neon signs here. Neon artist Todd Sanders makes vintage inspired signs in his shop Roadhouse Relics on South 1st. Todd has a fantastic gallery here, too.

Most of the places I've included in this post have been in Austin for many years. They are the places I remember from my road trips down to Austin in high school, the places I frequented in college. Probably this is because I've been homesick all summer. This last photo is from a relative newcomer to the Austin scene, Frank. They have done a particularly good job integrating modern with vintage. Plus, they have the best hot dogs ever. Austin is growing and changing so quickly - I'm curious to see how the overall feel of the place changes, how the storefronts and typography will reflect that change.

Like many I too have a love of old signage, particularly old hotel signs. Saw some beauties on my way to knottsbury farm in LA. Would LOVE to get my hands on that beautiful old bus and give it some TLC!Inspiring images as always.